As a student, you must submit a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) each school year to determine federal financial aid you qualify for, including grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Many colleges and states also use FAFSA information to award their own institutional and state-based aid, so skipping the FAFSA could mean missing out on thousands of dollars in free or low-cost funding.
The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year opened on September 24, 2025, earlier than the traditional October 1 launch date. While the federal deadline to submit the FAFSA is June 30, 2026, it’s wise to complete the form as early as possible. Many states and schools award aid on a first-come, first basis and have much earlier deadlines.
What follows is a detailed guide to completing the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Submitting the FAFSA is necessary each year to qualify for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
• It’s important to complete the FAFSA as early as possible because many states and schools award aid on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The 2026-2027 FAFSA uses 2024 federal tax information, which can be automatically imported using the IRS Direct Data Exchange.
• Dependent students must invite their parent(s) to contribute their information and consent to the application.
• After submission, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary including your Student Aid Index (SAI), which colleges use to calculate your aid eligibility.
Documents You’ll Need
Before you sit down to complete the online FAFSA application, gather the following documents and information to make the process smoother:
• Your Social Security number
• Your Alien Registration Number (A-Number), if you’re not a U.S. citizen
• Your federal income tax return
• Records of child support received
• Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
• Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
• Records of net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
• Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
If you’re a dependent student, your parent(s) will need most of the same information to complete their portion of the FAFSA.
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How to Fill Out the FAFSA in 6 Steps
Ready to file the FAFSA? Most applicants complete the form in less than one hour, including the time needed to gather personal and financial information.
Here’s how to fill out the FAFSA step by step.
Step 1: Create an Account
Before completing the FAFSA online, you need to create a StudentAid.gov account. This account provides you with a username and password that allow you to securely log in, complete the FAFSA electronically, and sign the form digitally.
Any required contributor(s) must also create their own StudentAid.gov account. A contributor is anyone required to provide consent and financial info for your FAFSA, such as a parent, stepparent, or spouse. Contributors are not required to pay for your college education, but their financial information may be necessary.
Step 2: Provide Personal Information
After logging in, select “student” to indicate that you are completing the form as the student applicant.
You’ll begin by reviewing and confirming basic personal information, including:
• Name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
• Mailing address
Next, you’ll answer questions about your personal circumstances, such as whether you are a veteran, have dependents of your own, or are a legally emancipated minor. These questions determine whether you’re classified as a dependent or independent student for financial aid purposes.
You’ll also be asked about:
• Race and ethnicity (used for research purposes only and not factored into your aid eligibility)
• State of residence
• Parent education status
• High school information
• Any federal benefits you or your family members have received
Step 3: Add Student Financial Information
To be eligible for federal student aid, you must provide consent for the FAFSA to import your tax information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) through the IRS Direct Data Exchange. The 2026–2027 FAFSA uses 2024 federal tax information. Once you give consent, your relevant tax information will automatically populate the form.
You’ll also need to report:
• Your tax filing status (e.g., single or married filing jointly)
• Any child support you received
• Your financial assets, such as cash in bank accounts and investments you own
Do not include your parents’ financial assets in this section. Those will be reported separately by your parent(s). If you are married, your spouse’s financial information may also be required.
Step 4: Select Colleges
Next, choose the colleges, universities, and career schools you’re considering. You can list up to 20 schools where you want your FAFSA information sent. Schools can be searched by name, city, and state or school code.
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Step 5: Review and Sign
You’ll then review the terms and conditions of the FAFSA, confirm that all the information you provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge, and electronically sign the application. Once signed, your portion of the FAFSA is complete. However, the entire form isn’t officially submitted until all required contributors (like parents or spouses) also complete and sign the form.
Step 6: Parents Add Information
If you’re a dependent student, you must invite your parent(s) to complete their portion of the FAFSA. You’ll do this by providing their email address, which sends them an invitation to access the form.
If your parents are married and filed a joint tax return, only one parent needs to fill out the FAFSA. If they’re married but filed separately, both parents are contributors. If your parents are divorced or separated and live apart, the parent who provided the most financial support during the past 12 months is the required contributor.
Parents will need to provide contact information, household size details, the number of family members attending college, and any federal benefits received. They’ll also consent to import tax data from the IRS and report financial assets, including:
• Total balances of checking and savings accounts
• Total value of investments, minus debts.
• Current value of businesses or farms, minus debts
Retirement accounts — such as 401ks, IRAs, and pensions — should not be included on the FAFSA. After reviewing their information, parents will sign and submit the form.
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If You Need Additional Help Filling Out the FAFSA
If you need assistance, click the white question mark icon next to any FAFSA question to view guidance. You can also visit the FAFSA Help Center, watch the FAFSA tutorial video, or chat with Aidan, the virtual assistant within the application.
Additional help is available through the Federal Student Aid Information Center, our FAFSA guide, or the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend.
What Happens After You Submit the FAFSA?
Within one to three days of submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary. This document summarizes your responses and includes your Student Aid Index (SAI), which schools use to calculate your financial aid eligibility.
Each college you listed on your FAFSA and are accepted to will send you a financial aid award letter. This may include federal aid such as:
• Direct Subsidized Loans
• Work-Study
• TEACH Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Who Should Complete the FAFSA?
Almost every student planning to attend college or graduate school should complete the FAFSA. This includes students from middle- and high-income households, part-time students, and those who believe they won’t qualify for federal aid.
Many scholarships, grants, and institutional aid programs require a complete FAFSA regardless of income level. Even if you don’t qualify for need-based grants, you may still be eligible for federal student loans, work-study opportunities, or school-specific financial assistance. Completing the FAFSA ensures you don’t miss out on any funding options available to you.
What If I Don’t Qualify for Any or Enough Aid?
If your financial aid offer doesn’t fully cover your education costs, you still have several options. You can appeal your financial aid award if your family’s financial situation has changed due to circumstances such as job loss, medical expenses, or other unexpected hardship.
You can also apply for private scholarships and grants, which are offered by organizations, employers, and nonprofits and don’t need to be repaid. In addition, working part-time during the school year or over the summer can help offset education and living expenses.
Private student loans are another option for covering remaining costs. However, they should be used carefully since they often have higher interest rates and offer fewer repayment protections than federal student loans.
The Takeaway
Completing the FAFSA application doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In most cases, the application takes less than an hour from start to finish. By following this step-by-step guide, you can confidently submit your FAFSA and understand what types of financial aid you may be eligible to receive for the upcoming school year.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
What’s the due date for the FAFSA?
The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year for the following academic year. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the FAFSA opened early (in September 2025). The federal deadline is June 30, 2027. However, be aware that many states and individual colleges have much earlier deadlines, so it’s always best to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.
Can I fill out the FAFSA myself?
Yes, you can fill out the FAFSA yourself by visiting the official StudentAid.gov website. The online application is designed for the student to begin the process, and this is generally the fastest and most accurate way to submit the form. Whether you can complete the FAFSA form using only your information depends on your dependency status. If you are considered to be a dependent student for financial aid purposes, you’ll need to invite your parent(s) or other required contributor(s) to complete their own section of the FAFSA, providing their financial information and consent.
How long does it take to fill out the FAFSA?
The FAFSA form typically takes most applicants less than one hour to complete from start to finish, including the time spent gathering necessary documents. Gathering information like tax returns, Social Security numbers, and asset information beforehand can reduce the time to 30 minutes.
What disqualifies you from getting FAFSA?
Certain factors can disqualify an applicant from receiving federal student aid through the FAFSA. These include:
• Not being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
• Not having a high school diploma or equivalent
• Not providing consent and to have your federal tax information transferred directly into form
• Having defaulted on a federal student loan.
Additionally, maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is usually a requirement for continued aid eligibility.
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